Independence Now And Forever
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
By Pastor Chuck Baldwin
NewsWithViews.com
John Adams
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As
we approach Independence Day, it behooves us to recall the principles
of America's founding, especially in light of the ongoing attempt by
today's political and commercial leaders to merge the United States
into a hemispheric government. In fact, the clarion call for independence
is just as fundamental, just as revolutionary as it was 233 years ago.
Regarding
the signing of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams said, "[Independence
Day] will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am
apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations
as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the
Day of Deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought
to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns,
bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to
the other, from this time forward forevermore."
Adams
went on to say, "You will think me transported with enthusiasm,
but I am not. I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that
it will cost us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend
these States. Yet through all the gloom I can see the rays of ravishing
light and glory; I can see that the end is more than worth all the means,
that posterity will triumph in that day's transaction, even though we
should rue it, which I trust in God we shall not."
Indeed,
the signers of America's Declaration of Independence endured the sacrifice
of both toil and blood. Pertaining to the lives of the signers, David
Limbaugh writes, "Of those 56 who signed the Declaration of Independence,
nine died of wounds or hardships during the war. Five were captured
and imprisoned, in each case with brutal treatment. Several lost wives,
sons or entire families. One lost his thirteen children. Two wives were
brutally treated. All were at one time or another the victims of manhunts
and driven from their homes. Twelve signers had their homes completely
burned. Seventeen lost everything they owned."
Yes,
America's Declaration of Independence, which is our nation's birth certificate,
was purchased at a very high price. Rightly did its primary author,
Thomas Jefferson, invoke God's name no less than four times in the Declaration.
Without God, our struggle for independence and freedom would surely
have failed.
Jefferson,
along with the vast majority of America's founders, knew that freedom
was, first, the gift of God, not the accomplishment of men. He further
understood that man's law must be subordinate to the natural laws of
God.
Therefore,
with an appeal to Heaven for the "rectitude of [their] intentions,"
America's Founding Fathers courageously forged a document that would
put their own lives at risk, but would also change the course of history.
The
question now is, "How long can we maintain our nation's independence?"
The forces of global government seem to dominate both major parties
in Washington, D.C., most corporate boardrooms, and most newsrooms.
In
fact, hemispheric or regional government never had more powerful and
committed allies than former Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton,
George W. Bush and now President Barack Obama. Mark my words: if and
when America loses its independence, it will have been these Presidents
that led the way in making it happen.
If
the United States is going to maintain its independence and freedom
much beyond the year 2010, it will only be because millions of freedom-loving
Americans (and the governments of the States in which they reside) are
willing to fight for it.
Both
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826. Daniel Webster
gave the eulogy for both men on August 2 of that year. Included in his
remarks on that notable day were these words: "It [the Declaration
of Independence] is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God,
it shall be my dying sentiment. Independence now, and independence forever."
To
Webster's words, I say a hearty AMEN! I promise no loyalty to the North
American Union, the United Nations, or any other brand of global government.
When the day comes that I am required to submit to any form of global
authority, I will be an outlaw. There is no freedom without independence,
and there is no independence without eternal vigilance. To my dying
breath I will say with Daniel Webster, "Independence now, and independence
forever!"
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Chuck Baldwin is Founder-Pastor of Crossroads Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida. In 1985 the church was recognized by President Ronald Reagan for its unusual growth and influence.
Dr. Baldwin is the host of a lively, hard-hitting syndicated radio talk show on the Genesis Communications Network called, “Chuck Baldwin Live” This is a daily, one hour long call-in show in which Dr. Baldwin addresses current event topics from a conservative Christian point of view. Pastor Baldwin writes weekly articles on the internet http://www.ChuckBaldwinLive.com and newspapers.
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